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edejong

> Netherlands city of Delft, known more for pottery than technology

Perhaps this is true, but hopefully not any longer among HN readers:

- Antonie van Leeuwenhoek: world first microbiologist, huge improvements in the microscope

- Martinus Beijerinck: discoverer of the virus

- Produces the Nuna, which won the world solar challenge in Australia 5 times

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Yes, as a Delft alumni, that remark hurt a little.

The Porceleyne Fles, the only remaining Delft blue manufacturer, is now a touristy place, employing probably less than 50 people.

The TU is one of the better universities in the Netherlands, employing almost 5000 people, and around 16.000 students.

If it's worth anything, this southern Californian thinks very highly of TU Delft. Their product design course on edX was a great little introduction to the field, and the only MOOC I've actually seen the whole way through!

Halfway through typing this comment I remembered that I indeed know of "Delft's blauw" (Delft's blue) which usually refers to a color used on pottery. So yes, I apparently do know Delft for its pottery, but much more for technology. Then again, I'm Dutch so I should know what goes on in cities here.

- List for what it's worth, 17th in Europe, 59th world-wide: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/best-universiti...

- Inventor of Bluetooth (Jaap Haartsen) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaap_Haartsen

- M.C. Escher

Also, TU Delft is one of the best universities in the world at engineering/ product design.

I know about the city because Delft University of Technology has some courses on edX.

Erik Meijer is the first name that came to mind when I heard Delft.

Pretty sure NixOS came out of TU Delft too (and that they're still involved)

interesting how University of Waterloo was never mentioned given its heavy ties with YC, and that it was his main university.

Definitely knew Delft from Van Leeuwenhoek :) . I didn't know Beijerinck, and I had no idea the Nuna was from there.

- Sounds like it would be one of Terry Pratchett's characters

Touche

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